Acting AG Todd Blanche Is Being Sued Over the Epstein Files. The Math on What’s Been Released Doesn’t Add Up.
The big picture: Journalist Katie Phang has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of a “brazen, shocking, and ongoing violation” of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The suit specifically calls out documents involving Trump that have not been released. Meanwhile, the GAO has opened a separate investigation into the DOJ’s handling of the files, and the DOJ’s own Inspector General is auditing the redactions.
Why it matters: Blanche has publicly said the DOJ released “everything.” But by his own numbers, the DOJ reviewed 6 million pages and only released 3.5 million. The gap is the story. And the documents allegedly being withheld include FBI interview material related to an alleged underage victim and accusations against the sitting president.
The lawsuit
Filed by Katie Phang — former MSNBC host, current independent journalist focused on Epstein coverage. Names Todd Blanche as sole defendant. Argues the DOJ failed to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act by omitting documents and improperly redacting others. Phang says she’s suing because the DOJ’s noncompliance prevents her from doing her job as a journalist.
The Trump documents
The suit notes that in one document, a woman accused Trump of assaulting her when she was a minor. The FBI conducted four separate interviews on the claim. The DOJ produced 15 related documents to Ghislaine Maxwell’s defense team — BUT only 7 were released under the Epstein Act. The suit alleges 53 pages of FBI interview documents and notes remain unproduced.
What Phang is asking for
A declaration that Blanche failed to comply with the law. Removal of unlawful redactions. Justification for any remaining redactions. Production of withheld materials. AND — most significantly — appointment of a special master, an independent court-appointed overseer outside the DOJ to monitor compliance.
The DOJ’s defense doesn’t add up
Blanche told Fox News: “We have released everything. We reviewed six million pieces of paper. We released anything associated with the Epstein files.” BUT only 3.5 million pages were actually released — a 2.5 million page gap.
The other accountability pressure points
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) opened an investigation today after senators led by Jeff Merkley requested one. The DOJ’s own Inspector General announced an audit of the redactions process last week. AND now this lawsuit. Three parallel accountability mechanisms targeting the same problem.
By the numbers
6 million — pages the DOJ says it reviewed
3.5 million — pages actually released
2.5 million — page gap
15 — documents about one alleged victim handed to Maxwell’s defense
7 — released to the public
53 — pages of FBI interview material allegedly withheld
3 — separate accountability investigations now underway
The bottom line
Either Blanche misspoke when he said everything was released, or the DOJ is sitting on millions of pages — including documents that may involve the sitting president. A federal lawsuit, a GAO investigation, and an Inspector General audit are now all pointed at the same question. Whether they have the teeth to force release is what comes next.
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